There are some diseases that can kill children or cause lasting damage to their health. Sometimes your child's system needs help to fight those diseases. Immunisation - also called 'vaccination', 'jabs' or 'injections' - provides that help.
| Age immunisation is given | Diseases protected against | Name of vaccine |
|---|---|---|
| Two months old | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Pneumococcal infection | DTaP/IPV/Hib Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, (PCV) |
| Three months old | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Meningitis C |
DTaP/IPV/Hib MenC |
| Four months old | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Meningitis C Pneumococcal infection |
DTaP/IPV/Hib MenC PCV |
| Around 12 months old | Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) Meningitis C |
Hib/MenC |
| Around 15 months old | Measles, mumps and rubella Pneumococcal infection |
MMR PCV |
| Three to five years | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio Measles, mumps and rubella | DTaP/IPV or dTaP/IPV MMR |
| Fourteen to eighteen years old | Diphtheria, tetanus, polio | Td/IPV |
| Thirteen to eighteen years old (from September 2008 - girls only) | Human papilloma virus (HPV) - increases the risk of cervical cancer | HPV |
In addition, some babies in high-risk groups are given a BCG immunisation for protection against tuberculosis shortly after they are born. Higher risk infants may also receive immunisation against Hepatitis B.
Your doctor or health visitor will give you more information if your child needs any of these.
Before your child starts school, they will usually get their jabs either at your doctor's surgery or local child health clinic. An appointment is usually sent from the Child Health Department or by your surgery.
Teenagers will usually have their injections at school. The school will contact you before your child is given any immunisation.
If you have any questions, you can talk to your health visitor, doctor, school nurse or practice nurse at your doctor's surgery.
A flu jab is recommended each year - before winter begins - for children who may find it difficult to fight off flu or who are at greater risk of developing complications. Your doctor can advise about this. If your child has one of these conditions, they should get the flu injection:
Parents
